The JWC said the HRA now included Oman, the UAE and the Persian Gulf west of longitude 58 deg E.
The HRA list was last amended on 10th December, 2015.
It also said claims from the attacks will be “significant”, according to ESC Risk Management.
The following were added:
Oman - Persian or Arabian Gulf and adjacent waters including the Gulf of Oman west of Longitude 58 deg E; United Arab Emirates.
Those amended included - Saudi Arabia (Gulf coast); Saudi Arabia (Red Sea coast), excluding transits.
“The enmity between Iran and Saudi Arabia continues to create tensions as the Saudis believe Iran is trying to control strategic waterways,” JWC added.“The recent tightening of Iranian sanctions by the US administration will raise tension in Iran and cause difficulties for Asian buyers.”
JWC said there is very little information about the explosions and the circumstances and methods employed remained unclear.“There is no doubt that considerable damage was done and there will be significant claims,” the committee added.
“The JWC has met to review the situation and in the light of further information, has updated the listed areas to reflect the perceived heightened risk across the region. The situation will be kept under close review,” it said.
Norwegian insurers concluded that Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards were “highly likely” to have facilitated the attacks on the tankers, ESC said.
In a joint statement, OCIMF and INTERTANKO said that the widely reported attacks on four tankers at Fujairah anchorage appeared to be well-planned and co-ordinated.
It was believed that each ship was attacked by a sub-surface explosive device placed by either a remotely operated vessel or divers.
Both these types of delivery method are more likely to happen when ships are near stationary or in a very restricted waterway and require a lower level of sophistication than the use of waterborne improvised explosive devices (WBIED) – a type of device known to have been previously used against ships in the Southern Red Sea
The organisations recommended that ship operators review BMP5 and consider sending the following guidance to ships:
• Undertake a new ship and voyage specific threat risk assessment before entering any region where there has been an incident, or the threat has changed.
• After the risk assessment, review the Ship’s Security Plan.
• Review section 2 of BMP5, which outlines threats.
• Maintain a full and vigilant bridge watch for ships at anchor.
• Implement deck patrols.
• Implement a waterborne security patrol.
• Maintain a strict communication watch and establish communication with all vessels coming close.
• Ensure strict boarding controls are in place.
• Only lower accommodation gangways or ladders when necessary.
• Rig outboard lighting where possible, particularly over the stern and rig/use searchlights if available.
• Report any suspicious activity immediately to both the port and to UKMTO (+442392222060) by telephone.
• Monitor relevant VHF and other communication channels.
• Check all fire-fighting equipment is available for immediate use. Make sure the emergency fire pump is available if any maintenance is being undertaken.
• Keep the Automatic Information System (AIS) on. There is no need to complete the field stating the last or next port of call.